WEST HARTFORD, CT - The NJIT men's basketball team saw its season come to an end on Saturday, falling to Albany 76-66 in the opening round of the Hercules Tires America East Playoffs at the Chase Center on the University of Hartford's campus.

The Highlanders, who entered the America East playoffs as the eight seed, conclude the season with a 7-12 record, while fifth-seeded Albany is now 7-8 and advances to Sunday's quarterfinal round vs. fourth-seeded and pod-host Hartford.

"It was an interesting season for sure," said Head Coach Brian Kennedy. "I'm proud of how our student-athletes dealt with it and I'm proud they fought to the end tonight."

Albany scored the first seven and of 11 of the first 13 points and led for the duration of the contest.

"We were getting good looks early, but couldn't finish," added Kennedy. "They went ahead 11-2 early and I felt like we spent the rest of the game trying to claw out of the hole."

NJIT did cut the lead to six, 22-16, but the Great Danes went on another run late in the first half and held a 16-point advantage, 39-23, at halftime.

The Highlanders were unable to cut into the margin in the second half until the final minutes of the game when they got it down to seven in the final minute, but it was too little, too late.

Zach Cooks was once again a bright spot for NJIT, scoring a season-high 26 points on 10-of-16 shooting.

"I wouldn't trade Zach for the world," explained Kennedy. "He fought hard out there today and has his whole career."

Mekhi Gray and Antwuan Butler each chipped in with nine points for the Highlanders, while Souleymane Diakite scored eight. 

Jatvis Doles and CJ Kelly scored 21 points and 20 points, respectively, for the Great Danes.

"Those two guys killed us today," concluded Kennedy. "They combined to shoot 8-for-9 from three-point range, you just have to tip your caps to them. Albany is a talented, veteran team and they looked the part today."